We can all be dismissive about the power of love.

Sometimes we can be downright cynical.

But then you come across a story like that of Stefanie and Mike Dring.

Thirteen years ago they were a couple much like any other. She was just 20, he was 23.

Life was very straightforward.

Then disaster struck when Mike was involved in an early morning road accident that left him paralysed from the chest down.

As Mike now recalls, his brother told Stefanie no one would think any less of her had she walked away.

After all, to remain by his side meant her life would change dramatically as well.

But she did stay. And six years after that fateful day, they married.

Mike knows that but for Stef his life would have been far, far bleaker.

The chances are that he would not be in such a positive frame of mind – let alone contemplating driving again.

As he puts it: "She is a diamond and has been my rock."

But the reason she stayed was that she loved him and obviously still does.

Mike's condition means that virtually everything that we take for granted is an issue.

But Stef is not alone in loving him. Look at the family and friends surrounding him in our picture.

They are people who are now determined to raise enough money to get him back behind the wheel of a car. That would give him a level of independence that would have seemed impossible to him after the accident. They are acting out of love and we wish them well.